Inglis and Carey Put Australia on Top as Proteas Face Newlands Test Battle

Josh Inglis and Alex Carey put Australia in charge of the Newlands decider on Wednesday, carrying the visitors to 330/4 after 90 overs with an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 145. Inglis finished on 85 and Carey on 51, and South Africa went wicketless through the final session.

Australia’s lead was only one run at stumps, but six wickets remained and the two batters were established. With the series level at 1–1, South Africa face a demanding third morning: they must break this partnership before a substantial deficit dictates their second innings.

Harmer opens a door at 58/2

After Starc’s late intervention on Day 1, Australia’s openers began their reply to 329 with a stand of 58. Travis Head supplied 41, making the early running while Matt Renshaw settled back into the opening role.

Simon Harmer changed the morning with his first over. Head chopped onto his stumps from the first delivery, and Marnus Labuschagne edged the last to Aiden Markram at first slip for a five-ball duck. At 58/2, South Africa had exposed an Australian middle order missing Steve Smith and had a chance to make the innings difficult.

Renshaw and Green find different answers

Renshaw and Cameron Green answered with a third-wicket partnership of 126. Renshaw’s 74 came from 139 balls; Green made 65 from 110. Their contribution mattered beyond the individual fifties because it kept South Africa from bowling at a succession of new batters.

They handled the short ball differently. Renshaw was prepared to leave or defend, while Green attacked Rabada, including consecutive sixes. Green had needed 14 deliveries to get off the mark, but that patient start did not stop him scoring once opportunities arrived. Australia had found a partnership without requiring both batters to play the same innings.

Jansen finally removed Renshaw, caught behind after a review exposed a thin edge, to reach 100 Test wickets. In his next over, he drew Green’s edge to Harmer at a wide slip. Australia had slipped from 184/2 to 185/4, leaving South Africa another opportunity before tea.

Inglis and Carey punish the second new ball

Inglis, batting with a splint protecting his injured index finger, supplied the acceleration, reaching 85 from 111 balls, while Carey’s 51 occupied 126 deliveries. Carey gave the stand time to develop; Inglis found ways to score against Harmer, using the reverse sweep and hitting him over midwicket for six. Their early uncertainty over a run did not prevent them building the day’s largest partnership.

Bavuma’s decision to preserve Jansen for the second new ball gave Inglis time against spin. Cricket Australia’s account of Inglis’ innings records that he faced Jansen only once before reaching fifty. Holding the left-armer back had a clear purpose, but South Africa lost the chance to test the newcomer extensively with their most successful seamer.

The new ball brought no rescue. Australia added 44 in the last ten overs without losing a wicket, and Bavuma returned to Harmer seven overs after taking it. Inglis and Carey had survived the change of ball and then increased the cost of it. Jansen finished with 2/37 and Harmer 2/84; South Africa’s other bowlers remained wicketless.

South Africa need fit quicks and sustained pressure

The surface offered little lateral movement, and bowling coach Piet Botha acknowledged that South Africa had not maintained their lengths for long enough. Batting had been favourable, but allowing established players regular scoring opportunities made an already difficult task harder.

Fitness complicated the attack’s work. Rabada suffered stomach cramps and left the field three times, finishing with 0/81 from 18 overs. Jansen received treatment for back stiffness. Botha did not believe Jansen’s problem was serious, but neither bowler’s recovery should be assumed before the third morning.

Play is scheduled to resume at 10:30 SAST on Thursday, 29 October. The Met Office’s Cape Town forecast indicates sunshine and a high of 26°C. With Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins and Starc still to bat, an early wicket would give South Africa a starting point rather than an immediate route through the tail.

The Betting Read

Australia have earned the stronger match-winner assessment through two substantial partnerships and six wickets still available. That does not establish betting value at any price. The size of the eventual lead, South Africa’s bowling resources and the condition of the surface must justify the odds on offer. With the second new ball only ten overs old, the opening spells remain a chance to alter that assessment if Rabada and Jansen can sustain them.

A lead that can be erased without losing wickets leaves South Africa room to set a target. A lead that forces them to bat deep into their second innings simply to draw level would give Australia much greater control. Our cricket betting guide explains the market choices, but the useful question now is how the lead changes South Africa’s task.

Where offered, Australia’s innings-total or lead-margin markets address how far they can extend the advantage. A simple first-innings-leader bet no longer answers an open cricket question: Australia had passed 329. Next-wicket and player-run markets need the updated line and the bowler actually operating. Inglis being 15 short of a century is a milestone, not evidence that an over bet is well priced.

Three scheduled days remain, and a pitch still rewarding partnerships keeps the draw relevant. Australia could face a harder task batting last if the surface deteriorates, but Wednesday offered no basis for assuming a dramatic change. Compare the same three-way match market through the principles in our sports betting guide, and revise the assessment if wickets, weather or lost time change the route to a result.

South Africa twice interrupted Australia’s progress on Wednesday. The challenge now is to turn the next breakthrough into sustained pressure before Inglis and Carey’s work becomes a decisive first-innings advantage.

Welcome bonus

100% up to R10,000 + 100 Bonus Spins

New customers only. Deposit R100+ with code FIRST. 35x wagering on bonus and spin winnings. T&Cs apply. 18+.

View offer ↗

Affiliate disclosure: StraightBet may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. This does not affect our editorial independence. 18+ only. Bet responsibly. Winners know when to stop. Get help and support.

18+ only. Betting carries risk, so keep it within your means. This guide is written for South African residents and refers to operators licensed by provincial gambling boards under the National Gambling Act. If gambling is taking a toll on you or someone you know, the National Responsible Gambling Programme helpline is free and open 24/7 on 0800 006 008, or text HELP to 076 675 0710. Winners know when to stop.